"We're celebrating 53 years and finally saying let's make this... let's call it what it is... what it has been for a half a century," said minister Arthur Stewart.

Hundreds of people witnessed the ceremony.

"In the name of God, I take you George to be my married life partner," said Evans, as the couple exchanged vows. "In the name of God, I, George, take you, Jack, to be my married life partner," Harris followed.

And for at least one minister, it was a call to change.

"It's sufficient to say George and Jack are offering a gift, an invitation and a challenge to the United Methodist Church to become ... a fully inclusive church," said Rev. McElvaney. "And we thank them for that."